Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Virtual Cookie Exchange

Today is Day 3 of the Virtual Cookie Exchange, hosted by Carol at Just Let Me Quilt.  Carol always does such a great job with these blog hops and is so good at keeping us in line and ready.  Thanks, Carol.



 

                                  These are the fabulous maker/bakers you'll meet:


December 5

I always enjoy the Virtual Cookie Exchange.  Over the years I have accumulated so many great cookie recipes shared by wonderful bakers.  

We have too many favorite recipes to count, but one that is a constant favorite around here is the Raspberry-Nut cookie.  Not only do they melt in your mouth, but they look so festive too.  It's a recipe that was found in a Sunset Cookies cookbook.

Ingredients:
1 cup softened butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cup ground pecans (ground finely in food processor)
2 cups all purpose flour
Powdered sugar
Approx. 1/4 cup raspberry jam

In a large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and granulated sugar until creamy; beat in vanilla.  Gradually add pecans and flour, blending thoroughly.  Cover and place in refrigerator until firm enough to handle (1-2 hours).  

On a floured board, roll out dough to a 1/8" thickness.  Cut with 2" cookie cutter.  Using a very small cookie cutter, cut out center of half of the cookies.  Bake at 375* for about 12 minutes or until lightly browned.  Transfer to racks and cool.

Sift powdered sugar over cookies with the center hole.  Place small dollop of jam on bottom portion of cookies and top with sugar covered cookies, making a sandwich.  Can be stored in an airtight container.



This is the time of year that I love to decorate our home with Christmas quilts.  Although not quilted yet, this is my latest Christmas quilt.  


A few of my other favorites...








Another fun thing to do with fabric, if you are not a quilter, is to make a festive ornament.  My mother and I taught these in my daughter's 4th grade class, so they are very doable this close to Christmas.  We had so many compliments from the parents on them and thought I would share it here.

What you will need:
3 or 4” styrofoam ball
white Gesso
school glue
ribbon and beaded trim
iridescent glitter
fabric 


 Dilute gesso slightly and paint the styrofoam ball.  Allow to dry.  


Cut out fabric motifs while the ball is drying.  Using white school glue, paint the back of the motifs with the glue and apply to the dry ball.  



Once all the motifs are placed, paint a slightly diluted (with water) glue over the entire ball.  Sprinkle lightly with glitter.  Allow to dry completely.  



Using the ribbon and beaded trim, make a bow and glue to the top of the ball with a ribbon hanger.




Hang on the tree.